Council set to approve £1m for flood defence project

Senior councillors are expected to sign off £1m for planning and preparatory work on a new flood defence scheme in Derby.

The money would be used to develop detailed plans for a new project at Chaddesden Sidings, near Pride Park.

The project forms part of phase three of the Our City Our River (OCOR) flood alleviation scheme - which follows previously approved work along the River Derwent.

Derby City Council cabinet members will meet on 11 November to discuss the proposals.

The council said the works will aim to improve flood protection but also support wider regeneration along the River Derwent.

Council officers said the city will not receive the full benefits of improved flood protection unless the next phase goes ahead.

Phase three includes work at Chaddesden Sidings and Raynesway on the north side of the river, plus Alvaston Park on the south side of the river.

Toni Nash, head of finance at the council, said: "It is vital that we maintain the momentum from Derby Riverside and make progress towards a full business case for Phase 3 to ensure we can deliver the full benefits of the full programme envisaged in 2013."

The River Derwent burst its banks following heavy rainfall from Storm Babet in 2023.

Dozens of homes and businesses were affected in Derby, while across Derbyshire, 1,700 homes were evacuated and 200 roads were closed across the county.

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